Information for international students

Welcome to the University of Cape Town (UCT). We look forward to working with you during your time here. The University is committed to working towards the creation of a discrimination free and inclusive environment which encourages disabled students full, independent and effective participation in the mainstream of UCT life. We work together with students and staff to facilitate the removal of barriers facing disabled students and staff. Some examples of our work include,

Advocacy on disability issues

Support in transforming attitudinal barriers that may be encountered

Access to inaccessible venues and designated disabled parking

Access to lecture and study material in alternative format for people with sensory impairments

Fully accessible transport between residences and lectures

Accessible residential accommodation

Resource centre: literature and material related to disability studies and disability research

Facilitation of extra time applications and/or other accommodations around exams for students with disabilities

Applications for Extra Time / Extended Time in Examinations

At the University of Cape Town, applications for extra time in tests and examinations are submitted to a subcommittee of the Senate for approval. Students wishing to apply for extra time, or other examination concessions, are urged to register with the Disability Service and submit the required documentation as soon after their arrival as possible.

Those who are applying on the grounds of a Specific Learning Disability make their application through Margie le Roux, Clinical Psychologist and Co-ordinator: Specific Learning Disabilities, Disability Service. Where application is being made for extra time on the grounds of a physical disability or medical condition, students first register with the Disability Service and then application for extra time is made through a doctor at the Student Wellness Service.

All students who qualify for extra time in examinations write their exams in smaller alternate examination venues. The maximum amount of extra time offered to students with Specific Learning Disabilities is typically time and a quarter i.e. 15 minutes per hour. Students from the USA, who are accustomed to receiving time and a half i.e. 30 minutes per hour extra time, must please take this into account when applying to study at UCT.

Please Note:

Only in the most exceptional cases (where students have severe or multiple impairments) will the university grant more than fifteen minutes per hour extra time. Thus, in the case of a three hour examination a maximum of an additional 45 minutes is permitted.

Denise Oldham is the Direct Services Coordinator and arranges accommodations in addition to extra time to support a student's academic progress during the semester and also for test and exam writing. Examples of these follow:

Students are required to provide the accommodations letter issued by their home university. In addition, all students who apply for extra time on the basis of a Specific Learning Disability need to provide an assessment report from an appropriately qualified psychologist. In the case of international students, the assessment report presented to the Disability Service of their home university will be accepted. Students who apply on the grounds of a physical disability or chronic illness need to provide the relevant medical documentation. It is frequently the case that students who apply for a time concession also qualify for additional accommodations. In order to expedite the implementation of these accommodations, students are advised to submit the relevant documentation in advance of their departure for Cape Town. It is recommended that documentation be scanned and emailed in advance to Margie le Roux, including details of the nature of the disability.

How to go about applying for Examination Concessions & Other Accommodations once you have arrived at UCT.

For information on how to go about submitting your accommodations applications please click here.